Bee poison Health Article

Definition

Bee poisoning is caused by a sting from a bee, wasp, or yellow jacket.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

See also: Bee sting

Alternative Names

Apitoxin poisoning; Apis venenum purum poisoning; Apis virus poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

Bee, wasp, and yellow jacket stings give off a substance called venom.

Where Found

• Bees
• Wasps
• Yellow jackets

Symptoms

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Swelling of throat *
• Gastrointestinal
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood vessels
  • Severe decrease in blood pressure *
• Lungs
  • Difficulty breathing *
• Skin
  • Hives *
  • Itching
  • Swelling at site of sting
• Whole Body
  • Collapse *
  • Pain at site of sting
  • Swelling of the face and lips *

* These symptoms are due to an allergic reaction and not venom.

Home Treatment

If you have an allergy to bee, wasp, or yellow jacket stings, it is important to always carry a bee sting kit (which requires a prescription) and become familiar with its use. The kit contains medicine called epinephrine, which you should take immediately if you get a bee sting.

Call Poison Control or a hospital emergency room if the person who is stung has an allergy to the insect or was stung inside the mouth or throat. People with severe reactions may need to go to the hospital.

To treat the bee sting:

• Remove the stinger from the skin (if it is still present).
• Carefully scrape the back of a knife or other thin straight-edged object across the stinger if the person is able to remain still, and it is safe to do so. Otherwise, you can pull out the stinger with tweezers or your fingers, but avoid pinching the venom sac at the end of the stinger. If this sac is broken, more venom will be released.
• Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water.
• Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth or other covering) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If the person has circulatory problems, decrease the time that the ice is on the area to prevent possible skin damage.
• Give the person diphenhydramine (Benadryl) by mouth. This antihistamine drug may be used alone for a mild symptoms.